36. Thirty-Six

During that day, I drifted in and out of consciousness. I could stay awake for perhaps five minutes at a time, before the pain dragged me back under. I’d managed to search through Ceres and Moonstone’s supplied during a few minutes of being awake, and an unused shirt made do for a bandage. By the time I woke again, my blood had stained the white cotton red. Panicking, I’d created a different bandage. I had to do this several times, but the blood flow was lessening. I didn’t think I could have lost that much blood, as I was still alive. I was very lucky, and I kept telling myself that as I lay there all day. I would have been an easy target, but somehow, I couldn’t see anyone returning to the Cornocopia anytime soon. It was pretty much a tiny piece of wasteland. It had been a mistake going there, and I needed to get back. But for now, you rest I told myself.

I was no longer passing out. I threw up once, but even the pain was subsiding a little. However, when I tried to move, a fresh pain threw me to the ground again, and the blood began to flow again. Fortunately, I stayed still and it stopped.

I couldn’t help thinking about Logan. I didn’t know if he was even alive. The cannons could have gone off while I was unconscious. I couldn’t bear to think he could be dead. But when the Capitol seal appeared in the sky, his face did not appear. Biff came first, which was a bit of a surprise. I wondered how he’d died. Moonstone’s glaring face was followed by the boy from 6, who I had no recollection of from my time during the Games. Then Ceres’ youthful features appeared, and I closed my eyes. I couldn’t have saved her, but I felt guilty for not helping her end her life. She was obviously in misery.

I allowed myself to sleep then. When I awoke again, the morning sun was making its appearance. I managed to pull myself into a sitting position and watch the sunrise. To me, it was a symbol of hope. With great effort, I clambered to my feet. I stumbled a few steps, before stopping for breath. It was slow progress, but at least I was moving. I grimaced slightly, realising I needed to inspect my toes. My left leg felt twisted slightly, but I was certain it wasn’t broken. My toes, however, were a different story. I peeled off my socks and boots to examine the damage. My toes were bent out of place, purple and grotesque. Groaning, I tightly wrapped them in some of the cloth shirt, not knowing what else to do. It was painful, but I tried to remind myself that there wasn’t long to go. Five tributes remained. Roger. Avery. A boy from seven. And me and Logan.

Whilst I was at it, I changed the makeshift bandage on my arm, and made a sort of sling to keep it in place. I felt a bit better, and continued to trudge away from the Cornocopia, nibbling on a piece of dried meat I had found in Moonstone’s tiny rucksack. There had been little else of use to me in either backpack, so I had left them behind. It was a good job too, as the rucksack I carried wasn’t helping me move faster. I reached the mouth of one of the tunnels and decided to stop. The effort of moving when I was in pain was too much. I slouched against the wall, humming to myself to keep my spirits up.

In the distance, I could see something drifting from the sky. A parachute! Eagerly, I stumbled towards it, allowing it to land in my arms as I greeted it. Unfolding the silk covering carefully, I looked inside. There were three needles. A little piece of paper lay next to them.

Raven, this is morphine. Take one shot a day, it will ease the pain considerably. It should get you to the end of the Games. However, I warn you. This is likely to be the last you hear from us. This was bought by a lot of sponsors, but as the Games come to a close, things become more expensive. Stay Strong. D&V.

Smiling broadly, I injected the first shot. An instant relief made me sigh in content, and surge of new found strength allowed me to get to my feet. I collected my things hastily and set off through one of the tunnels, still hobbling slightly. I must have looked a sight, but the new optimism set in my soul kept me going. The end of the tunnel loomed and my heart sank. How had I been so stupid? I couldn’t manage the swim in my state. I stared at the open water, stuck, stranded by the Cornocopia. I allowed myself to scream in anger. I’d starve. There was no way for me to get food.

In defeat, I crawled back to the Cornocopia. Leaning my back against the cold metal of the horn, I chewed the skin on the thumb of my good hand. I had no idea what I was going to do. I was getting a little hungry already, having not eaten properly since I set off from the shore to get to the Cornocopia.

The sound of trumpets shocked me, and I almost banged my head on the Cornocopia. After the strange silence I’d grown used to over the previous few hours, it was a shock. But I sat up eagerly to listen. Claudius Templesmith, the announcer of the Games, cleared his throat on the voiceover.

“Remaining tributes! It is my pleasure to announce that there will be a feast! It shall take place at the Cornocopia tomorrow at dusk. However, this isn’t an ordinary feast. The Gamemakers have decided to spice it up a little. I hope to see you all there…”

All was quiet again. I smiled. Not only was this the opportunity to get food. But to get Roger too. I sat back and began to formulate my strategy.